GaryMrMets
12-04-2001, 09:06 PM
http://whitesox.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/cws/news/cws_news_story.jsp?article_id=cws_20011127_perrytr ade_news&team_id=cws
News
11/27/2001 1:00 pm ET
Sox trade Perry to Texas
Third baseman was instrumental in capturing the division crown in 2000
By Patrick O'Connell
MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The Milkman's route has changed.
On Tuesday, the Chicago White Sox parted ways with 33-year-old infielder Herbert Perry, sending the former University of Florida quarterback to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later. Perry, who spent most of the last two seasons in a White Sox uniform, was designated for assignment on Nov. 20, prompting the Sox to seek a trade for the infielder, rather than releasing the veteran.
"We wish Herbert all the best with the Rangers," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. "He contributed to our 2000 division title and was a solid player both on the field and in the clubhouse. We appreciate all he did for the Sox and wish him well."
In 201 games during his brief stint in Chicago, Perry batted .308 with 19 home runs and 93 RBIs while committing just 19 errors at third base. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound infielder was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on April 21, 2000 and became an integral part of the White Sox' winning the division crown in 2000.
During Chicago's historic season, Perry hit a solid .308 in 109 games, becoming the first Sox regular third baseman to hit above .300 in the last 35 years. Also during the 2000 season, he ranked third among American League third baseman in average and established career bests in every offensive category.
In 2001, Perry, who spends his offseason working on his family-owned dairy farm, began the season with a barrage of multihit efforts, collecting two or more hits in seven games from April 9-21 and finishing the opening month with a .310 average. The rest of the season for Perry, however, could have been characterized as a roller coaster ride. He hit only .219 in May, but rebounded to bat .333 in June before landing on the disabled list with a sore left Achilles tendon. In his final three months of the season, Perry went just 11-for-66 (.167) and started in only seven contests over the final 31 games, compared to 69 of the first 131.
The move of Perry apparently clears the way for top third base prospect Joe Crede to become a significant player in the battle for the starting job in Spring Training. Crede, 24, owns a career .289 average over six minor league seasons, most recently hitting .276 with 34 doubles, 17 home runs and 65 RBIs at Triple-A Charlotte where he was named Best Defensive Third Baseman in the International League by Baseball America. The Missouri native appeared in 17 games with the White Sox in 2001, going 11-for-50 (.220) with no home runs and seven RBIs and zero errors in 35 total chances at third.
Also expected to be in the mix at third base are infielders Jose Valentin, Tony Graffanino and Jeff Liefer. Valentin appeared in 66 games at the hot corner with 13 errors in 175 chances, while Graffanino played in 38 games (five errors/65 chances) and Liefer saw action in just 15 games (four errors/30 chances).
"It's too soon to say who will be our third baseman in 2002," Williams said. "Joe has earned the chance to compete for the job. Jose stepped in and performed well as our third baseman during the second half of last year despite fighting some tough injuries, and Jeff Liefer is an option as well.
"November is just too early to define jobs," he added. "Let's see how the roster looks at the end of March and how players perform during spring training. Then we will decide who earned the position."
As a member of the Rangers, Perry is expected to compete with incumbent third baseman Mike Lamb for the starting job alongside perennial All-Star shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Lamb, 26, hit .306 with four home runs and 35 RBIs in 76 games with the Rangers in 2001 while spitting time with recently departed infielder Ken Caminiti. Along with Lamb, the Rangers' 2001 first-round draft choice and former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Mark Teixeira and prospect Hank Blalock will also be in the running at third base.
Although it seems that Perry is going from one crowded hot corner to another, he did receive a vote of confidence from the Rangers' newly anointed Executive Vice President and General Manager John Hart Tuesday upon announcement of the trade.
"Herbert Perry adds depth to our club at the corner infield positions as well as at designated hitter," said Hart, who was the Director of Baseball Operations for the Indians when they drafted Perry in the second round of the 1991 draft. "He played a key role in the White Sox winning the Central Division title in 2000, and I think he will be a big asset to the Rangers."
Patrick O'Connell is the site reporter for whitesox.com
News
11/27/2001 1:00 pm ET
Sox trade Perry to Texas
Third baseman was instrumental in capturing the division crown in 2000
By Patrick O'Connell
MLB.com
CHICAGO -- The Milkman's route has changed.
On Tuesday, the Chicago White Sox parted ways with 33-year-old infielder Herbert Perry, sending the former University of Florida quarterback to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a player to be named later. Perry, who spent most of the last two seasons in a White Sox uniform, was designated for assignment on Nov. 20, prompting the Sox to seek a trade for the infielder, rather than releasing the veteran.
"We wish Herbert all the best with the Rangers," White Sox general manager Ken Williams said. "He contributed to our 2000 division title and was a solid player both on the field and in the clubhouse. We appreciate all he did for the Sox and wish him well."
In 201 games during his brief stint in Chicago, Perry batted .308 with 19 home runs and 93 RBIs while committing just 19 errors at third base. The 6-foot-2, 235-pound infielder was claimed off waivers from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on April 21, 2000 and became an integral part of the White Sox' winning the division crown in 2000.
During Chicago's historic season, Perry hit a solid .308 in 109 games, becoming the first Sox regular third baseman to hit above .300 in the last 35 years. Also during the 2000 season, he ranked third among American League third baseman in average and established career bests in every offensive category.
In 2001, Perry, who spends his offseason working on his family-owned dairy farm, began the season with a barrage of multihit efforts, collecting two or more hits in seven games from April 9-21 and finishing the opening month with a .310 average. The rest of the season for Perry, however, could have been characterized as a roller coaster ride. He hit only .219 in May, but rebounded to bat .333 in June before landing on the disabled list with a sore left Achilles tendon. In his final three months of the season, Perry went just 11-for-66 (.167) and started in only seven contests over the final 31 games, compared to 69 of the first 131.
The move of Perry apparently clears the way for top third base prospect Joe Crede to become a significant player in the battle for the starting job in Spring Training. Crede, 24, owns a career .289 average over six minor league seasons, most recently hitting .276 with 34 doubles, 17 home runs and 65 RBIs at Triple-A Charlotte where he was named Best Defensive Third Baseman in the International League by Baseball America. The Missouri native appeared in 17 games with the White Sox in 2001, going 11-for-50 (.220) with no home runs and seven RBIs and zero errors in 35 total chances at third.
Also expected to be in the mix at third base are infielders Jose Valentin, Tony Graffanino and Jeff Liefer. Valentin appeared in 66 games at the hot corner with 13 errors in 175 chances, while Graffanino played in 38 games (five errors/65 chances) and Liefer saw action in just 15 games (four errors/30 chances).
"It's too soon to say who will be our third baseman in 2002," Williams said. "Joe has earned the chance to compete for the job. Jose stepped in and performed well as our third baseman during the second half of last year despite fighting some tough injuries, and Jeff Liefer is an option as well.
"November is just too early to define jobs," he added. "Let's see how the roster looks at the end of March and how players perform during spring training. Then we will decide who earned the position."
As a member of the Rangers, Perry is expected to compete with incumbent third baseman Mike Lamb for the starting job alongside perennial All-Star shortstop Alex Rodriguez. Lamb, 26, hit .306 with four home runs and 35 RBIs in 76 games with the Rangers in 2001 while spitting time with recently departed infielder Ken Caminiti. Along with Lamb, the Rangers' 2001 first-round draft choice and former Georgia Tech Yellow Jacket Mark Teixeira and prospect Hank Blalock will also be in the running at third base.
Although it seems that Perry is going from one crowded hot corner to another, he did receive a vote of confidence from the Rangers' newly anointed Executive Vice President and General Manager John Hart Tuesday upon announcement of the trade.
"Herbert Perry adds depth to our club at the corner infield positions as well as at designated hitter," said Hart, who was the Director of Baseball Operations for the Indians when they drafted Perry in the second round of the 1991 draft. "He played a key role in the White Sox winning the Central Division title in 2000, and I think he will be a big asset to the Rangers."
Patrick O'Connell is the site reporter for whitesox.com